Category: Racing diary

There are two runners from our list to follow in action tomorrow.  Imperial Gain runs in the 5.10 at Bath and Asperity in the 2.15 at Chantilly.

  

I will be back tomorrow evening with some reflections on the racing over the weekend.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 10 2007” →

There have been 3 winners from our list to follow over the last 3 days with Rock Anthem, 8/1, coming in at the best price at Goodwood today.

  

There is no shortage of racing to choose from tomorrow and I will start at Goodwood.  Cape and Utmost Respect represent the list in the opener at Goodwood tomorrow (2.20.). James Fanshawe has trained some good fillies in recent years, such as Frizzante, Firenze, who won this race last year, and Musicanna and Cape could follow in their hoof prints.  She is yet to run a bad race and should go well.  Utmost Respect won both his starts last season and clearly handles soft ground. Untried on a faster surface he looks a nice prospect and would be a contender if the ground is not a problem.  Texas Gold likes it at Goodwood and would be a threat on fast ground.

  

We also have two runners from the list in the 3.25.  Dunelight was 3^rd in a listed race at Ascot behind Cesare and Illustrious Blue.  The latter has since franked the form and Dunelight deserves his place in this line up.  Supersonic Dave is the only 3 year old in the field. He finished runner up to the Derby 4^th Lucano at Newmarket on only his 2^nd racecourse appearance.  He is open to any amount of improvement.  Drops back to a mile here but to be honest I am not sure if that is a plus or a minus.  Tough one to call but I will take a bit of a flyer with the 3 year old.

  

I have often gone on about my poor record with horses trained by Sir Michael Stoute and I am about to tip another one – so look away now if …….

  

Cabinet was 4^th over 9 furlongs on his seasonal reappearance at Goodwood.  He is up in trip in the 2.05 at Haydock and on breeding that might well suit him.

  

There are some interesting types in the 2.35 at Haydock. I backed Mr Ed on his last run when he was 2^nd over fences at Ludlow but he is back on the flat tomorrow. He is no forlorn hope here on ground he will like.  Colloquial is on my list to follow and is a horse I really like.  He should be fitter for his run 3 weeks ago but the form of the stable is a slight concern. The obvious one here is I suppose River Alhaarth from a very much in form stable.

  

Prince Evelith won 3 times last season and could be even better this term. All his wins have come on good to firm and he should get his ground in the 4.10 at Haydock.

  

I thought that Notepad ran with some promise on his debut at Newmarket and is my each way pick in the Lingfield 7.20.

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 2.45 at Musselburgh.  Trainer Jim Goldie was very bullish about the chances of Blazing Heights last week but he ran no sort of race behind the in form Raccoon.  Goldie sounded so confident that I am almost inclined to ignore last week’s run and tip Blazing Heights.  I am going to stick with known recent form though and go with How’s She Cuttin’.  This one had to race up the middle of the track when 2^nd to Raccoon last Saturday and has a better draw this time. The 3^rd runner from our list is Deserted Dane who romped away with a Beverley maiden last season but has yet to capture that form this time around. He likes fast ground and may just have been given a chance by the handicapper.  Could spring a surprise.

  

The 3.45 is the Scottish Sprint Cup, a heritage handicap that has attracted a decent field. The only runner from our current list is Geojimali who will be ridden by Salem Golam a useful 3 lbs claimer and former champion apprentice. Geojimali is a half brother to Blazing Heights.  There are plenty of old favourites in this such as Fonthill Road and River Falcon.  One that could run well at a big price is the speedy Bluebok.  The faster the ground the better for this one.

  

Macedon ran a cracker to finish 4^th to Pinpont in the Newbury Spring Cup but disappointed when a beaten favourite on his next run. He seems to handle any ground at around 15/2 he is each way value in the Newbury 7.30.

  

Acheekyone was 6^th in the Newbury Spring Cup, but like Macedon he has failed to build on that promise since.  He runs in the 4.05 at Windsor where he has trip and ground to suit.

  

In the 5.15 there are good reports about Wannarock from Ed Dunlop’s stable.

  

Plenty to go at tomorrow then.  I hope you fund a winner or two.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 9 2007” →

Harrison’s Flyer is a horse I have followed over the years, one of my spring handicappers!

  

He runs at Brighton in the 2.55 tomorrow where he has a very good record.  His form figures at the seaside venue read 1132.  He runs off a mark of 64 which is by no means harsh on the best of his form. 

  

As usual I am following a select group of Sir Mark Prescott 3 yaer olds.  So far 2 have run this week with one winner.  The next to run is Crossing the Line in the 4.05 at Brighton.

  

Leptis Magna did us a favour at Windsor winning at 7/1.  He runs in the 3.20 at Goodwood where he should be a contender despite a 7 lbs rise in the weights.

  

We have two “list” representatives in the 3.55 at Goodwood.  Rock Anthem was 2^nd to Leptis Magna at Windsor so the 3.20 should give a pointer to this one’s chances.  Mark Johnston runs Aureate who was a creditable 3^rd on Saturday.  His style of running should suit Goodwood and should go well.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 8 2007” →

At the time of penning these notes 2 of the horses mentioned yesterday have run.  Shumoohk finished 2^nd but Alleviate was a disappointing favourite.  She is by Indian Ridge though and it is possible that the ground was on the quick side for her.

  

After Alleviate’s failure at Lingfield Sir Mark Prescott will be hoping for better from another 3 year old handicapper in Copernican. He runs in the 4.05 at Hamilton.

  

I thought Destour ran quite well at Newmarket behind Transcend and should be in the shake up in the Haydock 2.50.

  

The 4.25 is the John of Gaunt Stakes where last years first and second, Quito and New Seeker are set for a rematch.

  

Hassaad was favourite for the Zetland Gold Cup but had no luck in running and looks to gain some consolation in the 7.55 at Sandown.

  

That is all for tonight.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 7 2007” →

Runners from our list to follow in action tomorrow:

 

 

Lingfield 3.50 Tebee: 4.50 Alleviate

 

 

Nottingham 4.10 Shumookh

 

 

Ripon 9.20 Jalil

 

 

The only qualifier today was Tetouan who was 2^nd beaten a neck.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 6 2007” →

Apart from a top class display from Tax Free at Naas it was a pretty dismal day for my list to follow today.

  

There is only one horse from the list running tomorrow and that is Tetouan in the 4.00 at York. He was far from disgrace when runner up at Lingfield on his last outing and should again go well.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 5 2007” →

After an abysmal set of results for me on Friday afternoon things took a turn for the better in the evening when Ivy Creek won the listed race at Goodwood.  He had run well at Chester last month and was always travelling best of all.  The only risk was that Steve Drowne wouldn’t find a way through the wall of horses in front of him but when a gap, albeit a small one did appear Ivy Creek had the acceleration to make the most of it.

  

Saturday was a much better day for our horses to follow. Enough has been written about the Derby so I won’t add too much.  It was good to see the likeable Dettori triumph and it clearly meant a lot to him.  The race went according to the form book really and my 1 – 2 – 3 forecast on Friday night was nearly spot on.

  

Apart from Authorized, All the Good and Hogmaneigh were other winners from our list to follow.  I was keen on the chances of All the Good who seemed to have just about everything going for him but I didn’t give Hogmaneigh the most positive of write ups.

  

There were promising runs from other horses on our list. The sprint handicap that opened the card at Musselburgh was of special interest to me as it involved 3 runners from my list to follow.  The course specialist How’s She Cuttin’ was my tip but she was beaten into 2^nd place.  It was a creditable run though as she arced up the centre of the course, while the winner, Raccoon had the rail. Old Bo McGinty was 3^rd and should find a race soon, possibly at a stiffer track.  The disappointment was Blazing Heights.  Trainer Jim Goldie was bullish about this one before the off but the 4 year old could only finish 9^th.  I think we can ignore his run here.  The winner Raccoon was scoring for the 7^th time and the 3^rd his season. He went 3 years without a win but has really recaptured his form this term. 

  

In the 12 furlong handicap later on the card at the Scottish track both Gull Wing and Aureate should be winning soon as they ran well in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

  

Before leaving this brief review of the last few days mention must be made of a couple of old friends, Blythe Knight and Sierra Vista who both claimed Group race victories for the first time in their careers.  At Epsom the excellent Blythe Knight had far too much resolution for the Godolphin trained Blue Ksar.  This was his 8th career win which include the Lincoln Handicap and a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Aintree.  Sierra Vista has had plenty of coverage in these pages. She only cost 500 Guineas and started her career in a seller at Catterick.  On Friday she made every yard to win the Temple Stakes at Sandown, her 12^th career win.  For the record Moss Vale was 2^nd and the improving Firenze 3^rd.  Incidentally Dandy Nicholls turned Moss Vale out again today in France and he ran a very creditable 2^nd.

  

There are plenty of meetings to choose from tomorrow – too any probably!

  

Starting at Carlisle Chain of Gold is related to a number of winners and is apparently well thought of by connections.  He makes his debut in the 2.20.

  

In the 3.50 Tomorrow’s Dancer is dropped down to sprint distances.  He could be well handicapped and has a good draw but the stable form would be a minor concern.

  

In the 3.00 at Leicester Five A Side could eb well handicapped and is the sort of horse his trainer does well with.

  

In the 3.30 Princess Valerina only has 3 rivals in an open looking race nonetheless. She has not lived up to expectation so far this season but may find the ease in the ground more to her liking.

  

Mirthful was 4^th at Newbury last time and did enough to suggest she has an each way chance in the 4.30.

  

The 3.40 at Naas looks to be between Dandy Man and Tax Free.

  

Coup D’Etat is certainly handicapped to win a race off a amrk of 72.  He would be in with a real shout in the Thirsk 6.45 if at his best.

  

In the 7.30 at Windsor I am interested in Fisberry who is a course and distance winner.  He has the ability to win a race or two this season.

  

There are two runners from our list to follow in the 8.00, Baltic King and Borderlescott. Baltic King should have his ideal conditions and has a good chance.  Borderlescott was runner up to Sierrra Vista on his last outing and that form speaks for itself.

  

In the 8.30 Mia’s Boy may finally come good.  Clearly well thought of at home he has not yet produced the goods on the racecourse.  Sir Michael Stoute’s Garden Party is also interesting.

  

Bye for now.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 4 2007” →

I had a pretty disastrous day on the tipping front at Epsom today so least said the better I think.

  Echelon impressed me in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes which she was winning for the second year in a row.  I am not convinced she really acts on the track but she is game enough and Kerrin McEvoy got the best out of her.  

Unshakable won the mile handicap at 10/1.  Although this was only his 5^th career win he has run well over the years in decent handicaps at around this trip.

  

When Scorpion is good he is very good and he put his rivals to the sword in the Coronation Cup where the consistent Maraahel ran a very decent race in 3^rd.

  

The ground at Epsom today was described as “like glue” by one jockey and that may have been a valid reason for one or two horses that ran badly today (that is my excuse anyway!)

  

The spotlight will again be at Epsom tomorrow.

  

Blue Ksar got his season off on a winning note at Lingfield three weeks ago and looks to have been found another winning opportunity in the Epsom 3.00.  He has winning form on soft ground and should get the better of Blythe Knight and Welsh Emperor.  Blythe Knight is a real credit to connections.  The winner of last season’s Lincoln he stepped on previous efforts to win a listed race at York last time out.  The ground will suit Blythe Knight.  He shouldn’t be quite good enough but he doesn’t lack for resolution and cannot be ruled out.  Welsh Emperor is another that will relish any give in the ground and he has previously run well in small fields.  Stamina could be a problem as he tackles this trip for the first time.

  

The 3.30 is a competitive affair. In the last 5 years the winning odds have been 16s, 9s, 20s, 14s and 12s.  Kevin Ryan trained the winner last season and saddles top weight Green Manalishi this year.  He was a 5^th in this last season and showed his well being by winning at Newbury on his latest start. He is a real speedball but likes fast ground so could do with the ground drying out.

  

Cape Royal is a dual course and distance winner and handles any ground.  He runs off a mark of 93.  His highest winning mark is 90.  His stable companion Corridor Creeper is more consistent and deserves to get his head in front after some decent placed efforts including a 2^nd to Caribbean Coral at Chester.  Caribbean Coral won this in 2004 and his 2 wins at Chester also show he likes this type of track.  He needs the cards to fall right for him but is quite capable on his day.  Wyatt Earp has never won over the minimum trip so I will pass him over despite his recent win at York.  Dandy Nicholls has to be respected in these big sprints and as usual he is well represented.  Kerrin MCevoy has been booked to ride Machinist who is useful enough on his day.  A former winner of the Ayr Silver Cup he is probably better at 6 furlongs on faster ground.  Handsome Cross acts on the track but is another that prefers fast ground. The Nicholls runner that interests me most is old Fire up the Band.  He won this in 2005 but is an 8 year old now and may not be his old self.  If he does retain his ability he is quite capable of winning off his current mark.  The two runners from our current list to follow are Hogmaneigh and Fantasy Explorer.

  

Hogmaneigh ran with plenty of promise when 3^rd at York (Corridor Creeper was 2^nd).  He is normally held up and that tactic might prove difficult to execute in this “dash.”  The key to Fantasy Explorer is probably the ground.  He is best on fast ground and if the going changes he would be a live contender.

  

Plenty of candidates then but if pushed for a selection I would go with Green Manalishi with a saver of Fantasy Explorer if the word “soft” does not appear in the going description.

  

There are no fewer than 8 runners from our list to follow in the Derby.  It is very hard to get away from Authorized as being by far the most likely winner.

  

For the record the other “listers” are as follows; Anton Chekhov, Aqaleem,   Eagle Mountain, Eastern Anthem, Petara Bay, Regime and Strategic Prince.

  

I expect Authorized to win. Possibly by a few lengths but at around 4/6 he is not a betting proposition.  There is always the possibility that something else will emerge from the pack and prove to be a star.  Eagle Mountain and Strategic Prince have the best form on show apart from the favourite, while Aqaleem looked impressive enough when winning what was probably at ordinary trail at Lingfield.

  

My idea of the 1-2-3 is Authorized, Eagle Mountain, Lucano.  The latter is lightly raced and if he stays is a possible improver.

  

My Arch represents our list to follow in the 5.05.  He won at Ripon last time out when first time blinkers seemed to do the trick.  He is suited by some ease in the ground.

  

In the 5.40 Pacific Pride is our list horse.  He ran better than his finishing position would suggest when 7^th at York behind Terentia and looks on a reasonable mark. , He would not want the ground too soft.  He is a half brother to Audience.

  

We have 3 list runners in the Musselburgh 2.20 Blazing Heights, Bo McGinty and How’s She Cuttin’.  Blazing Heights is a course and distance winner who put in an encouraging run when 3^rd last time at Ayr and he likes softish ground. Bo McGinty is not the most consistent but ran well from a poor draw at Beverley last time and seems in good heart.  How’s She Cuttin’ is a genuine and consisted sprint filly with a 100% record at this track from 3 visits.  She gets my selection.

  

In the 2.50 All the Good has ticks in some of the right boxes.  He has had a recent outing so should be fit, he is racing over his optimum trip, is a course and distance winner and comes from a stable in form.

  

In the 3.20 Gull Wing and Aureate are runners from our list.  Gull Wing showed plenty of promise when 2^nd on her seasonal reappearance at Leicester but then ran disappointingly on her latest start.  Aureate won on the all weather at Wolverhampton in November and looked a scopey sort.  He looks to have been given a chance by the handicapper off a mark of 78 and gets my selection.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 2 2007” →

The Epsom card tomorrow boasts 3 Group 1s, including the Oaks.

  

I will start though with the 1.40, which is a Group 3 and over 1 mile with the going expected to be soft.  Echelon won the race last year and has run consistently well in this sort of company.  Her preference seems to be for faster ground and that would be the main worry. Nannina is the form horse.  She won the Coronation Stakes last season and was only beaten 2 lengths by Ouija Board in the Nassau Stakes. Like Echelon though Nannina has shown her best form on decent ground.

  

The going may well prove an important factor in this race with the best 2 horses possibly not suited by the ground.

  

The 2.10 is a very competitive looking handicap.  Plum Pudding was a nice winner for our list to follow the other week at Newmarket.  That was on good to firm though and he has gone up 5 lbs in the weights as a result.

  

Rio Riva put in an excellent effort when 2^nd in the Lincoln from a bad draw. He was then short of room when 5^th at Ripon.  The soft ground won’t be a problem. Ordnance Row did us a favour last season when winning at 20/1 in a Chester Handicap. He has shaped well on his last couple of starts and should handle the ground.  Unshakeable last won in 2005 in a valuable handicap at Goodwood but showed he is in good nick when 2^nd last time out on the all weather.

  

Hold up merchant Uhoomagoo won this race in 2004 and was a winner at Royal Ascot last season but is unlikely to relish the soft ground.  Ordnance Row would be my selection.

  

There are two runners from our list to follow in the 2.45.  Forrager was a winner at Haydock in April but subsequently unplaced when upped in trip.  He is back to 10 furlongs tomorrow and should have the soft ground that is important to him.  Stotsfold just failed to carry top weight to victory at Chester on his last run.  He was 2^nd to Temple Place on that occasion with Blythe Knight in 3^rd.  Blythe Knight has since come out and won a listed race at York, franking the form in style.  Sotsfold has a very good record at Chester and should handle the Epsom track.  The only problem may be the ground as he ran poorly on the only other occasion he met soft going.

  

Both Forrager and Stotsfold should run well.

  

St Leger winner Sixties Icon was impressive when winning the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on his return to action.  He has won on soft ground and is my selection for the 3.25.

  

The Oaks looks very tricky to solve. Both Measured Tempo and Dance of Light have only run twice and may well be open to improvement.  In addition both should handle the ground so cannot be ruled out.

  

Passage of Time won the Musidora at York and that has been a reliable trial down the years. I will go with her as my selection.

  

There are two runners from our list to follow in the listed race at 4.50.  Mofarij is a half brother to Iffraaj and won in Dubai at the beginning of March.  He folded tamely though on his subsequent start at Windsor which is a concern.  I had high hopes for Escape Route at the start of the season but he has finished 3^rd in both his races thus far.  He was very unlucky behind El Bosque at Lingfield on his last run though where he met considerable trouble in running and he is worth another chance.

  

Captain Jacksparra has been a frustrating horse to follow as he has finished runner up on his last 3 starts.  He is nothing if not consistent though and should again be in the frame in the 5.25.

  

Turning to Goodwood I think that Ivy Creek may be coming back to form judged on his last run at Chester.  He looks to have a decent chance in the 7.20. 

  

At Bath old Smokin’ Beau makes his 106^th racecourse appearance in the 8.30.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 1 2007” →

Looking back briefly to yesterday there was a gritty performance from the filly Allegretto to win the Henry II Stakes and thereby add another Group 2 to her CV, having won the Lancashire Oaks last season.  This was another win for the Cheveley Park Stud.  Their red and white silks have been seen aboard the likes of Russian Rhythm, Echelon and Cesare in recent times.

  

From a personal point of view I was pleased to see Eisteddfod take the 7 furlong conditions stakes at Leicester.  This was his 10^th career win for the Elite Racing Club.

  

Another Elite Racing Club stalwart is fancied in the Ayr 4.20 tomorrow.  Monolith was a winner last time out and conditions look likely to suit him.  The main danger looks to be the front running Dr Sharp but hopefully he will set the race up for Monolith to nab the honours close home.

  

The lightly raced Obstructive has been placed twice at Lingfield from 3 runs at the track and should again go well there in the 2.00.

  

The Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown looks like being a tight affair.  A case could be made for most of them but I will give a tentative vote to Tam Lin.  He showed some consistent form last season when trained by Sir Michael Stoute and is now with Godolphin.  He is untried on soft ground.

  

In the 7.50 New Jersey seems to have the best form on offer.

  

The Temple Stakes looks a tasty sprint with the in form trio of Moss Vale, Firenze and Sierra Vista my shortlist.  Narrow preference for Moss Vale.

  

My best offer at Yarmouth is Moody Tunes in the 3.40.

  

Bye for now

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 31 2007” →